Pizzelles

I have been so busy baking this holiday season and unfortunately haven't had time to blog. I have made sugar cookies, chocolate chocolate chip cookies, ginger cookies, gingerbread men and houses, pizzelles, pignoli cookies, one trifle and a red velvet cake. It's sort of gross to think all of this happened over the course of 3 weeks. I love pizzelles. Are they a crowd pleaser? No, not necessarily...but that doesn't stop me from making them, especially during Christmas. They scream out Christmas to me. Crisp snowflake shaped cookies flavored with almond extract and then dusted with confectioner's sugar - what is not to love? I must have been Italian in a previous lifetime.

The batter comes together in no time and cooking them in the pizzelle maker is quick.

Pizzelle Batter

Pizzelle Maker

Pizzelles

Pizzelles
Recipe adapted from Betty Crocker's Cookie Book
Yield: About 3 1/2 dozen cookies

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup butter, melted and cooled
1 T almond, anise or vanilla extract (original calls for 1 Tablespoon, I like to add 2 Tablespoons for added flavor)
4 eggs, slightly beaten

Heat pizzelle iron according to manufacturer's directions. Mix all ingredients in a medium bowl. Drop 1 tablespoon batter into heated pizzelle iron; close. Cook about 30 seconds or until golden brown. Carefully remove pizzelle from iron. Cool on wire rack. Repeat until all batter is used. Dust with confectioner's sugar, if desired.

Double Chocolate Valentine Cake

For my birthday last year, my husband bought me Rose's Heavenly Cakes by Rose Beranbaum. Rose is also the author of The Cake Bible, a book I also own. The Cake Bible has been a trusty resource over the past few decades, but I'm so glad she published another cake book. I wish I could say I've tried more of the recipes in the newer book - I have made the Torta De Las Tres Leches Cake, the Banana Refrigerator Cake with Creamy White Chocolate Frosting and now the Double Chocolate Valentine Cake. Whenever I look at her book, I tend to feel overwhelmed. I know without a doubt that these are great recipes, but I know it will take me hours to complete.

The Double Chocolate Cake did take many hours from start to finish, but I was very happy with the results. It is not an overly sweet cake and packs quite a bit of chocolate and fudgey goodness into one slice. I ran out of raspberries so my cake isn't quite as beautiful as it could have been...oh well. The name of the cake clearly makes it a great choice for February 14th. Bake it in a heart shape and share it with the one(s) you love. I think this cake deserves to be served year-round.

Cocoa and hot water

Flour, Sugar, Baking powder, Salt, Cocoa mixture and Butter

Cake Batter in greased and floured pan

Ganache Glaze

Poke Holes with skewer and brush on Ganache Glaze

Top with fresh Raspberries

Raspberries glazed with Red Currant Jelly

Dig in!

Because I am lazy, I will provide a link to the recipe on GlobalGourmet.com.
Double Chocolate Valentine Cake recipe.